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Alex Cummings
DUBLIN, N.C. (September 25) - Jeff Smith was able to motor his way from his 9th place starting spot to win at Dublin Speedway last night. The win was Smith's 2nd of the season and 2nd win at Dublin this year. It also marks his 24th career Carolina Clash victory. "I love this track" said Smith in victory lane. Smith is sponsored by Star Leasing and Starrette Trucking with motor provided by ECR Engines in his Rocket chassis.
When the full field of super late models took the green flag, it was the 1 of Ricky Weeks taking the early lead from his pole position starting spot. As Weeks crossed the start finish line on lap 3 he was nearly 5 car lengths ahead of the 2nd place contender. As Weeks went into turn 1, something in the transmission locked up and he came to rest on the backstretch ending his night. Under the caution, the 17 of Tim Allen also pulled behind the wall with mechanical issues ending his night as well. Laps 7-10 saw a great battle taking place between the A1 of Scott Autry and the 22 of Chris Ferguson. The two cars would swap the 2nd position twice in just 4 laps until Autry would suffer a left rear flat.
Utilizing the high side around the race track during the early and middle stages of the race were the 18m of Jeff Smith, the 00 of Jay Sessoms, and the 21 of Luke Roffers. All three were hanging it out there, high, wide, and pretty rimming riding around Dublin Speedway.
Lap 20 saw another caution wave for the 1 of Chuck Smith who came to a stop in turn 2. He was able to continue and would later pickup the Safety Kleen Hard Charger Award for advancing 12 positions during the feature event. On the restart, the #22 of Ferguson would go through the spin cycle in turn 1 in a single car spin while running in the 3rd position. On the next restart, we saw a multi car wreck in turn 1 involving the 20 of Dan Breuer, the 18m of Jeff Smith, the 72 of Mike Parker, and the 14 of David Taylor. The three cars of Taylor, Smith, and Parker would get damage but never stopped during the incident and kept on going.
Lap 26 saw another caution come out when the 17 of Timmy Blackwell came to a stop in turn 2. He would continue the race after changing a right rear sneaker.
On the restart, the fans saw a show of power like no other, Jeff Smith would restart the race in the 5th position and by the time he reached turn 4, he was leading the race. Utilizing the high groove once again, Smith was able to pass 4 cars in less than a lap. It was a true show of power and driving ability.
Lap 33 saw a scary moment when Breuer lost his left rear tire when the axle housing broke coming down the frontstretch. Breuer crossed the line still spinning as the tire went flying uncontrollably down the track. Dan was running in the 10th position at the time of the incident.
On the restart, Smith was able to pull away from the field yet again and run and hide from the rest of the cars. Coming home in 2nd was the 00 of Jay Sessoms with his best finish of the year in his South Pine Needles, Alloy Fabrication sponsored Rocket chassis powered by LED Engines. 3rd was the 15 of Dean Bowen in his William and Son Farms, Bowen Tire sponsored Rocket chassis powered by Clements motors. 4th was the 92 in Stephen Evans in his Quality Logging sponsored Masterbuilt chassis powered by Cams Engines. The 4th place finish is Evans best finish of his career with the Carolina Clash. Rounding out your top 5 was the 2 of Dennis Franklin in his Cherokee Landscaping sponsored Barry Wright chassis powered by Clements motors.
Final Rundown
Finish Driver Start Hometown
1. Jeff Smith (1) Dallas, NC
2. Jay Sessoms (2) Stanley, NC
3. Dean Bowen (2) Whiteville, NC
4 Stephen Evans (4) Tyner, NC
5. Rambo Franklin (8) Gaffney, SC
6. Travis Hair (14) Fayetteville, NC
7. Scott Autry (5) Fayetteville, NC
8. Chris Ferguson (3) Mt. Holly, NC
9. Luke Roffers (12) Concord, NC
10. David Taylor (18) Fayetteville, NC
11. Chuck Smith (23) Sanford, NC
12. Timmy Blackwell (7) Fayetteville, NC
13. Brian Ledbetter (21) Dallas, NC
14. Mike Parker (24) Fayetteville, NC
15. Dan Breuer (10) Troutman, NC
16. Jonathan Gunther (22) Fayetteville, NC
17. Travis Yow (15) Fayetteville, NC
18. Craig Shuffield (20) Fayetteville, NC
19. Ricky Weeks (1) Rutherfordton, NC
20. Tim Allen (13) Kannapolis, NC
21. Keith Jacobs (16) Reidsville, NC
22. Dale Hammond (17) Nichols, SC
23. Michael Marlowe (19) Nichols, SC
Comp Cams Feature Winner: #18m Jeff Smith
Heintz Performance Fastest Qualifier: #1 Ricky Weeks
R2C Performance Products Heat Race Winners: #44 Justin Labonte, #21 Luke Roffers
Heat race #1 Justin Labonte, Tim Allen, Travis Yow, Dale Hammond, Michael Marlowe, Brian Ledbetter, Chuck Smith, DNS Dustin Mitchell, Andrew Brock
Heat race #2 Luke Roffers, Travis Hair, Keith Jacobs, David Taylor, Craig Shuffield, Jonathan Gunther, Mike Parker, Michael Mason, DNS Ray Tucker
Safety Kleen Hard Charger Award - #1 Chuck Smith
Dirttrax Motorsports Hard Luck Award - # 08 Michael Marlowe
Shafer Enterprises Cool Shirt 5th Place Finisher- #2 Rambo Franklin
The Carolina Clash will be off next weekend but will return to racing action on Saturday, October 9th at Fayetteville Motor Speedway for another great race. Please make plans to join us and come out to watch the best of the best in super late model racing that the southeast has to offer.
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